Modern Waste Disposal: How Innovative Technology is Changing the Future of Waste Management

Forget going to the landfill. Technology, sustainability trends, and cultural evolution are turning the waste disposal industry on its head.

Modern waste disposal is all about doing away with the waste management practices of the past. The same practices that have led to wildlife and habitat destruction, diseases, and the wrecking of the ozone layer.

Worse yet, waste generated in one country impacts oceans around the world. Just look at the notorious plastic bag island floating in the Pacific ocean.

The new waste management practices of today are scrambling to fix the problems of yesterday. Here are the biggest trends to watch in the years to come.

Bye Bye Plastic

Plastic may be the #1 issue facing the waste management industry. Now that China is no longer recycling U.S. plastic, the plastic problem is more dire than ever.

The United States used to ship over 4 million tons of plastic waste to China. In fact, over 70% of all plastic waste worldwide went to China.

Now that China isn’t taking in U.S. plastic, researchers estimate that over 111 metric tons of plastic waste will accumulate by 2030. That’s 111 metric tons that won’t be recycled.

While countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia are picking up some of the slack, it’s still not enough to handle this problem. And the problem is growing quickly.

Recent U.S. bans on plastic may give the waste management industry more time to find solutions. In the future, look for more trends in biodegradable plastic.

Since there will be so much displaced plastic, space will be a problem.

To combat the plastic problem, watch for modern waste disposal solutions to merge with manufacturing solutions, like 3D printing. This is a win-win for both industries as some recycled plastics are cheaper than new plastics.

Compost For Your Life

As the plastic waste problem grows, expect more people to start composting.

Like future bans on plastics, you may see more mandatory composting legislation put in place. San Francisco, New York City, and Rhode Island are already starting to implement composting programs.

Many cities provide their residents with composting buckets to encourage the behavior. Cities do this to avoid more food waste from taking up space in landfills.

Expect more incentives for commercial businesses to adopt composting technology. Watch for modern waste disposal trends in insulated composting technology. These insulated bins can hold more than 100 gallons worth of compost!

Expect a great deal of innovation in this area. Not only does this include composting technology itself, but also compostable packaging and products.

Generating Power from Waste

As you learned, there’s going to be a lot more plastic waste lying around, despite more countries taking in U.S. waste. As landfills pile up, expect more trends in how this waste will be used.

This type of modern waste disposal technology is called “digesting.” Watch for more innovation in digester machines that can quickly generate waste into energy on-site.

Digestion machines are also called Biogas. In the coming future, more manufacturing companies, factories, farms, and power plants will be forced to adopt this technology.

Digester technology is poised to impact more consumers as well. Look for trends in portable digester machines for homeowners who want to save waste and energy. You’ll also see more trends in complete waste digestion systems for homes and small businesses.

Biogas is one way to turn waste into energy. There are also exciting developments happening with thermal energy. Not only can thermal conversion turn waste into energy, but it can also turn waste into brand new products like oils, garden fertilizer, and chemicals.

Modern Waste Disposal Logistics

One of the least talked about aspects of modern waste disposal is logistics. It’s not just how waste is disposed of that matters, it’s when you dispose of it.

Expect a new wave of waste management apps.

As China continues to reject plastic waste, and trash piles up, waste management companies will need to act quickly to clean up the mess. As such, more companies are using apps that alert them when bins and trash collection areas are full.

Expect these companies to leverage scheduling technology as they adapt to new practices. Future innovations in screening technology will allow for quicker and more efficient sorting of recyclables.

Waste Disposal Apps for Consumers

It’s not just waste management companies themselves that will depend more on apps. Watch as more consumers and homeowners incorporate similar apps into their daily lives.

For example, there are apps now that help consumers better locate recycling centers in their area. But as more cities scale back their recycling programs, these apps will become even more essential for eco-friendly citizens.

Many consumers are unaware that not all plastics are made alike, and thus, don’t recycle alike. As the plastic crisis grows, this knowledge will be essential for managing waste at home. Expect to see more apps that help consumers differentiate between plastics.

Waste management news, legislation, and technology are quickly changing as well. As such, consumers will need to be informed of any and all changes. Expect more cities to adopt better technologies that alert residents to any changes to waste management policies and practices.

To get consumers to adopt better waste management practices, expect apps with incentives. Rewards go a long way in changing consumer behavior.

Clean Up Your Act

The road to better waste management won’t be easy, but it will be necessary. It will take a combination of both technological innovation and lifestyle changes.

Keep an eye out for more modern waste disposal advancements in the coming decade. Get a head start by adopting these trends right now!

Make sure you have the right resources by your side to face problems as they come. Check back often for the latest tips and trends for improving your modern world.